Machine for brushing and stacking carton blanks

ABSTRACT

A machine which spreads carton blanks on a belt conveyor and brushes loose bits of paperboard from upper and lower faces of the carton blanks and edges of the carton blanks. The carton blanks are counted and then stacked on an elevator which is gradually lowered as a stack of carton blanks builds up on the elevator. The stack is then advanced onto a discharge conveyor where an outer carton can be placed over the stack of carton blanks. Finally, the stack and the outer carton are inverted on a turntable and the outer carton with the stack of carton blanks thereinside is discharged from the machine.

United States Patent Lloyd et a].

[54] MACHINE FOR BRUSHING AND STACKING CARTON BLANKS [72} Inventors: Allen H. Lloyd, Terrace Park, Ohio; William J. Beeklnan, Fort Thomas, Ky.

[73] Assignee: Tech-Art, 1ne., Milford, Ohio [22] Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 64,211

n51 3,678,525 [451 July 25, 1972 2,958,882 ll/l960 McCormick etal ..l5/77 Primary Examiner--Edward L. Roberts Arrorney-Pearce & Schaeperklaus ABSTRACT A machine which spreads carton blanks on a belt conveyor and brushes loose bits of paperboard from upper and lower faces of the canon blanks and edges of the canon blanks. The carton blanks are counted and then stacked on an elevator which is gradually lowered as a stack of carton blanks builds up on the elevator. The stack is then advanced onto a discharge conveyor where an outer carton can be placed over the stack of cartoon blanks. Finally, the stack and the outer carton are inverted on a turntable and the outer carton with the stack of carton blanks thereinside is discharged from the machine.

9 China, 36 Drawing Flgum PATENTED JUL25 I972 SHEET 01 0F 17 mmw hmmv

mmv

mvsmong M w N M J T H J NA 1 E r. Lw v kwfm m PATENTED M25 :91:

saw 02 0F 17 hom why

PATENTEU JUL 2 5 I972 SHEET [13 0F 17 PATENTEU JUL 2 5 I972 SHEET 07 0F 17 PATENIEU JUL25 1912 SHEET 08 [1 17 FIG.

FIG.

PATENTEU JUL25 I972 sum 11 or 17 PATENTEnJuLzfimz 3.678.525

sum 12 or 17 FIG. 25

PATENTED JULZS m2 saw 15 0F 1 FIG. 33

FIG. 32

PATENTED JUL25 I972 3.678.525

saw 17 0F 11 FIG. 36

MACHINE FOR BRUSI'IING AND STACKING CARTON BLANKS This invention relates to a machine for brushing die cut paperboard carton blanks and for counting and stacking the carton blanks after they have been brushed and counted.

Die cut paperboard carton blanks can have associated therewith small bits of paperboard or the like which are cut from a paperboard sheet in the forming of the carton blank which small bits are undesirable, particularly if the carton blanks are to be used in forming cartons for food items or the like. An object of this invention is to provide a machine which brushes canon blanks to remove such unwanted small bits of paperboard.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a machine which counts the carton blanks afler the carton blanks have been brushed and piles the carton blanks on a platform after the carton blanks have been counted.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a machine in which a pile of carton blanks containing a selected number of carton blanks is discharged onto a discharge conveyor where an outer container can be disposed over the pile of carton blanks and in which the outer container with the pile of carton blanks thereinside is turned 180 degrees into position for sealing of the outer container.

Briefly, this invention provides a machine to which canon blanks can be fed which spreads out the carton blanks on a belt conveyor. Upper and lower faces of the carton blanks and edges of the carton blanks are brushed to remove unwanted loose bits of paperboard as the carton blanks are being conveyed. The carton blanks are counted and then stacked on an elevator which is gradually lowered as a stack of carton blanks builds up on the elevator. The stack is then advanced onto a discharge conveyor where an outer carton can be placed over the stack of canon blanks. Finally, the stack and the outer carton are inverted and the outer carton with the stack of carton blanks thereinside is discharged from the machine.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains from the following detailed description and the drawings in which:

FIG. I is a schematic view in side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the main portions of the machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a portion of the machine showing drive connections of the machine with other portions of the machine being removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the portion of the machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in side elevation on an enlarged scale showing a brushing section of the machine, hoods for brushes being shown in dot-dash lines;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the brushing section of the machine shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale in side elevation of a counting and stacking section of the machine, a side guide being partly broken away to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation on an enlarged scale of an elevator section of the machine, other portions of the machine being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the elevator section of the machine shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of a feed section of the machine which delivers carton blanks to the brushing section;

FIG. I] is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the feed section shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. I2 is a view in section taken on an enlarged scale on the line I2-I2 in FIG. 10;

F IO. 13 is a view in side elevation on an enlarged scale of a carton blank distributing assembly which forms a part of the machine;

FIG. I4 is a plan view of the carton blank distributing assembly shown in FIG. [3;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a carton blank handled by the machine;

FIG. I6 is a view in end elevation of a side brush membly forming a part of the machine, a fragmentary portion of a sup porting frame element being shown in section in association therewith, fragmentary portions of conveyor belts and of carton blanks also being shown in association therewith;

FIG. I7 is a view in side elevation of the side brush assembly shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a view in section taken on the line 18-18 in FIG. l6;

FIG. [9 is a view in side elevation on an enlarged scale showinG a counting station of the machine, counter rolls being shown in operative position;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the counting station shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a view in section taken on an the line 2I-2l in FIG. 7;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view taken on an enlarged scale in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 8;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of elevator supporting mechanism of the machine;

FIG. 24 is a view in section taken on an enlarged scale on the line 2424 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 25 is a view in side elevation on an enlarged scale of a discharge section and a carton inverting section of the machine; the carton inverting section being shown in full lines in an intermediate position, a portion thereof being shown in carton receiving position in dot-dash lines and a portion thereof in carton ejecting position being shown in double dotdash lines;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the discharge and carton inverting section of the machine shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 2715 a schematic wiring diagram of the machine;

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of hydraulic connections of the machine;

FIG. 29 is a view in side elevation on an enlarged scale showing upper and lower brushes and brush supports of the machine;

FIG. 30 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the portion of the machine shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 3| is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of a valve and valve actuating assembly forming a part of the machine;

FIG. 32 is a view in section taken on the line 32-32 in FIG.

enlarged scale on FIG. 33 is a view in side elevation of an upper side guide of the machine;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary plan view showing upper side guides and related parts of the machine, other parts being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 35 is a top plan view of the part of the machine shown in SIG. 30 with upper brushes and supports therefor removed; an

FIG. 36 is a view in section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 37-37 in FIG. 30.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION In FIG. I is schematically shown a machine 30 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. The machine 30 includes a feed table section 31 provided with a belt 32 on which carton blanks 33 are loaded. The belt 32 advances the canon blanks 33 onto a conveyor belt system, indicated schematically at 34, on which the carton blanks pass under a carton blank distributing assembly or discriminator 35 which spreads the carton blanks in overlapping relation. The carton blanks are directed below upper brushes 37 and 38 and above lower brushes 39 and 41, each of which is opposed to and immediately under one of the upper brushes. Then the carton blanks pass to sloping or elevating belts 42 and 43 which catch the forward end of each of the carton blanks and cause the rear end thereof to swing against a bottom brush 44. The belts 42 and 43 carry the carton blanks between side brushes 46 and 46 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which brush side edges of the cartons. Then the carton blanks are carried past a counter switch 47 (FIG. 1) and, after being counted, are projected against downwardly extending actuator arms 48 of an elevator control valve 49. After engaging the actuator arms 48, each carton blank falls onto an elevator platform 51, the carton blanks forming a stack 52 thereon. As carton blanks collect in the stack 52 on the elevator platform, the platform moves downwardly until a predetermined count is reached. Then the elevator platform moves downwardly to a position indicated by dashed lines at 51, at which position a pusher 53 pushes the stack 52 of carton blanks onto a discharge conveyor 54. An outer carton 56 is placed over the stack of carton blanks, and the outer container with the stack thereinside is moved to a generally U-shaped turntable 57 which turns the container through an angle of approximately 180 degrees to the position shOwn at 57' whereupon the carton with the stack thereinside can be discharged as indicated at 56' onto a delivery conveyor 58 in upright position ready for closing of the container.

The machine which has been described in general terms to this point will now be described in greater detail.

FRAME AND MAIN DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS As shown in FIG. 2, the machine 30 includes a main framework 61, a discharge conveyor framework 62 and a turntable framework 63. On the side of the main framework 61 shown in FIG. 2, the main framework 61 includes upright frames 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68, lengthwise lower frames 69, intermediate lengthwise frames 74 and 76, and upper lengthwise frame 77. Similar frames on the opposite side of the machine, not all of which are shown in detail, are indicated by like numbers to which a prime has been added. The upright frames and the lengthwise frames on opposite sides of the main framework are connected by appropriate cross frames, one of which is shown at 78 in FIG. 4, not all of which are shown in detail. The uprights 66 and 66' carry frame plates 79 and 79' (FIG. 6) between which a number of shafts are mounted, as will be indicated more fully hereinafter.

Power for operating the main belts of the machine is provided by a main drive electric motor 81 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The motor 81 is mounted on a plate 82 supported on cross frames 83 and 84. A shaft 85 of the motor 81 carries a pulley 86 (FIG. 4) which drives a belt 87. The belt 87 drives a pulley (not shown) on a shaft 88. The shaft 88 drives gears (not shown in detail) in a gear box 89 and also drives a clutch 90. The gears in the gear box 89 drive a shaft 91 which carries a drive sprocket 92. The drive sprocket 92 drives a chain 93 which runs over idlers 94, 95, 96, 97, 97 and 98 and drives sprockets mounted on shafts 99, I and 101.

The clutch 90 (FIG. 3) drives gears in a gear box 102 which drive a pulley I03 and a sprocket wheel 104 on a shaft 105 (FIG. 4). A belt 106 (FIG. 3) driven by the pulley 103 drives a pulley I07 mounted on a shah 108 which also carries a sprocket 109. The sprocket 109 drives a chain 110 which drives a sprocket lII mounted on a shah 112. The shaft 112 carries a pulley 113 (FIG. 4) on which a belt 114 runs, which is a part of the belt system 34 of FIG I. The shaft 112 also carries a sprocket 116 (FIG. 3) which drives a chain 117. The chain 117 drives a sprOcket 118 (FIG. 3) mounted on a shaft 119 which carries a pulley 121 (FIG. 4) which drives a belt 122, which is also a part of the belt system 34 of FIG. I. The belt 122 also runs over idle pulleys 123 (FIG. 3) and 124. The upper course of the belt 122 is divided into an upwardly directed course portion 126 and a horizontal course portion 127. As shown in FIG. 3, the sprocket 118 is larger than the sprocket 116 so that the belt 114 moves faster than the belt 122.

The sprocket I04 drives a chain 131 which drives sprockets on drive shafis I32, I33, I34 and 136 and also runs over idle sprockets I37, 138, I39, I40, I41, 142, 143, I44, I46, I47 and 148, as shown in FIG. 3. The drive chain 93 runs constantly while the motor 81 runs but the drive chains 131, and 117 run while the clutch 90 is engaged and are stationary when the clutch 90 is disengaged.

The machine operates on canon blanks 33, a typical carton blank being shown in FIG. 15. The carton blank 33 includes a body 152, side flaps I53 and 154, and end flaps I56 and 158. Indentations 159 and 161 are formed in the paperboard between flaps. The carton blank 151 is formed by die cutting from a paperboard sheet and, in the die cutting process, small portions of paperboard 162 and 163 can be retained at the indentations and elsewhere. Such small portions are undesirable because they can become mixed with articles packaged in a carton formed by erecting the carton blank into a carton. The brushes 37, 38, 39, 41, 44, 46 and 46' act to remove such unwanted small portions of paperboard.

DISCRIMINATOR ASSEMBLY A stack 166 of carton blanks can be advanced from the feed table section 31 (FIG. 11) acroa a transfer table 164 to the belt 122. A belt 165 of the feed table can be advanced by operation of a motor 165' (FIG. 27) and drive connections, not shown in detail. As the upper course of the belt 122 moves to the left as shown in FIG. 11, the carton blanks of the stack come into engagement with the discriminator 35, as shown in FIG. 11, and the carton blanks are spread out on the belt 122 into overlapping relation. The carton blanks advance from the belt 122 onto the belt 114 with a small portion of each carton blank being overlapped by the succeeding carton blank on the belt 114. The discriminator 35, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a plate-like body 167 (FIG. 3) having a lower portion 168 which extends downwardly and along the direction of belt movement tojust above the belt 122 into position for engaging the carton blanks. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the discriminator body 167 is mounted on bars 169 and 171. Screw fasteners 172 (FIG. 13) and 173 connect the body 167 to the bars 169 and 171. The screw fasteners I72 and 173 also extend through diametral bores in a transverse rod 174. The rod 174 is supported by upright bars 175 and 176. The bars 175 and 176 are similar in construction and only the bar 175 and supports thereof will be described in detail. The rod 174 extends through a slotted bore 177 in the upright bar 175. End portions of the upright bar 175 on opposite sides of a slot 178 thereof are drawn toward each other by a screw 179 to lock the transverse rod in position in the bore 177. The lower end of the upright bar 175 is supported between elevated frames I81 and 182. Each of the elevated frames 181 and 182 is provided with a plurality of spaced aligned transverse bores I83, and the upright bar 175 is mounted therebetween by means of a bolt 184 which extends through aligned transverse bores in the elevated frames 181 and 182 and draws the frames I81 and 182 against opposite sides of the upright bar 175 to hold the upright bar in position. The upright bar 175, however, can be swung about the bolt 184 with the transverse rod 174 and the body 167 for adjustment of the position of a lower end edge 187 of the lower portion 168 of the discriminator body 167. The height of the lower end edge 187 can be adjusted by means of an adjustment eyebolt 188. The eyebolt 188 has a head 189 (FIG. 14) which is swingably mounted on a rod 191 mounted in transverse bores 192 and 193 in the bars 169 and 171, respectively. A threaded shank 194 of the eyebolt 188 extends upwardly through an upright bore 196 (FIG. 13) in a horizontal flange 197 of an angle bracket I98. Nuts I99 and 201 on opposite sides of the flange 197 can be turned for adjusting the height of the head 189 of the eyebolt 188 and of the lower end edge 187 of the discriminator body 167. The nuts 199 and 201 can be provided with appropriate washers 202 and lock washers 203. The angle bracket 198 is attached to mounting blocks 204 and 206 which are mounted for adjustment along the elevated frames 181 and 182 and along similar elevated frames 207 and 208 (FIG. 6) on an opposite side of Invnsa 

1. A machine for removing loose bits of paperboard from carton blanks which comprises conveyor means, means for spreading the carton blanks on the conveyor means, opposed upper and lower brush means engaging upper and lower faces of the carton blanks to brush the upper and lower faces, and side brushes engaging opposite edge portions of the carton blanks to brush the loose bits of paperboard from the carton blanks.
 2. A machine as in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes a belt conveyor, the upper and lower brush means include brush sections on opposite sides of the belt conveyor, and means is provided between the upper brush sections for holding the carton blanks against the belt conveyor to travel therewith.
 3. A machine as in claim 2 wherein the means for holding the carton blanks against the belt conveyor includes a frame bar supported above the belt conveyor, a plurality of swinging frames pivotally mounted on the frame bar, roller means carried by each swinging frame and means for resiliently urging the swinging frames in a direction to cause the roller means to engage carton blanks carried on the conveyor belt to hold the carton blanks against the conveyor belt.
 4. A machine as in claim 2 which includes a main frame, means on the main frame for rotatably mounting the lower brush means adjacent the belt conveyor, an elevated frame pivotally mounted on the main frame for swinging above the lower brush means, means for rotatably mounting the upper brush means on the elevated frame, first motor means mounted on the main frame in driving relation to the lower brush means, second motor means mounted on the elevated frame in driving relation to the upper brush means, and means for limiting swinging of the elevated frame when the upper and lower brush means are opposed and in brushing relation to carton blanks carried by the belt conveyor.
 5. In a machine for removing loose bits of paperboard from paperboard carton blanks, the combination of a first conveyor means, means for spreading the carton blanks on the first conveyor, a second conveyor means, the second conveyor means including a pair of belts, the pair of belts having converging sections adjacent a discharge end of the first conveyor and face-to-face sections thereafter, the face-to-face sections being at an obtuse angle to the direction of travel of the first conveyor, the first conveyor means projecting each carton blank between the converging sections to be engaged between the face-to-face sections, whereby the trailing edge of each carton blank is swung crosswise of the first conveyor, and brush means in the path of swinging of the trailing edge of each carton blank for brushing the loose bits of paperboard from the carton blanks.
 6. A machine as in claim 5 wherein the brush means in the path of swinging is a rotary brush and means is provided for rotating the brush in a direction such that the portion of the brush which engages the carton blanks moves in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the carton blanks.
 7. A machine for removing loose bits of paperboard from carton blanks which comprises a frame, conveyor means mounted on the frame for transporting the carton blanks along the frame, the conveyor means gripping the carton blanks with side portions of the carton blanks extending outwardly of the conveyor means, a brush rotatably mounted on the frame in the path of the outwardly extending side portions, and means for rotating the brush as the carton blanks pass the brush, whereby the brush removes loose bits of paperboard from the side portions of the carton blanks.
 8. A machine as in claim 7 wherein the conveyor includes two opPosed belt conveyors which engage opposite faces of the carton blanks, and the belt conveyors travel transversely of and spaced from the axis of the brush.
 9. A machine as in claim 7 wherein means is provided for advancing the brush toward and away from the conveyor means and crosswise of the direction of movement of the conveyor means. 